Paralysed Claire Lomas completes London Marathon after 16 days

PARALYSED Claire Lomas has completed the London Marathon in a bionic suit, 16 days after she began the 26.2-mile course.

Claire Lomas reaches the finish line with the help of her husband Dan []

The former chiropractor was in tears as she became the first person to complete any marathon using a bionic ReWalk suit this afternoon.

Hundreds lined the streets as she made her final steps to complete the race, whilst three mounted members of the Household Cavalry gave her a guard of honour as she crossed the finishing line on The Mall.

Ms Lomas, who was left paralysed from the chest down following a horse-riding accident in 2007, said: "There were times when I questioned whether I would make it when I was training.

"Once I started, I just took each day as it came and every step got me a step closer."

The 32-year-old will not appear in the official results and did not receive a medal when she finished as competitors have to complete the course on the same day to qualify for a medal, organisers said.

Once I started, I just took each day as it came and every step got me a step closer.

Claire Lomas

But a number of marathon runners decided to donate their own medals to Ms Lomas.

Jacqui Rose, from Southampton who contributed her medal along with an estimated 12 others, said: "She has epitomised what I thought the London Marathon was all about.

"That medal, when you have completed it and gone through all the pain of it, symbolises that achievement of what you have gone out of your way to do for charity.

"For her not to have got one ridicules what the marathon was all about."

Ms Lomas, from Eye Kettleby, near Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, raised more than £86,000 for Spinal Research, a charity which funds medical research around the world to develop reliable treatments for paralysis caused by a broken back or neck.

She walked about two miles a day, cheered on by husband Dan, her parents and 13-month-old daughter Maisie.

Ms Lomas said she was now going to write a book and "spend some good time with Maisie", adding: "Then I'll think of something else daft to do."

A number of celebrities have also lent their support by walking a mile alongside her, including TV presenter Gabby Logan and husband, former international rugby star Kenny, and TV presenter and adventurer Ben Fogle.